INDIAN COLD START DOCTRINE \ 1. The Concept. Indian Cold Start Doctrine envisages applying linear ground forces for multiple thrusts, backed by massive fire power well before Pakistan completes its mobilization and international community can intervene. 2. The doctrine emphasizes to strike offensively but without giving battle indicators of mobilization to maintain chances of strategic surprise while remaining below nuclear threshold. 3. Political decision for war would be taken at the outset. 4. Broad Contours. Traditional operational art of maintaining distinction between strike and defensive formations will be done away with. The war is planned to be fought by integrated Battle Groups (IBGs) synergized / supported by IAF and IN. Since the Integrated Battle Groups would be pre-positioned closer 5. to international border / Line of control, these would commence operations with least build up 1 preparation and would thus achieve surprise. 6. Shaping the Battle Field through New Concept of War (NCW), incorporating all available technical driven assets and fire power platforms like IAF, IN, Artillery & SSMs etcetera would remain the hall mark of lndian offensive. 7. Cold Start scenario would require overwhelming Air superiority and integrated Close Air Support (CAS). 8. Concurrently, Special Forces (SF) would be utilized to create paralyzing effect through operational and strategic interdiction behind enemy defences. 9. Maior Factors Leading to the Conceptualization of Cold Start Doctrine. Indian military planners think that there is space available for a short notice, short duration war with curtailed objectives despite the nuclear factor. 10. Nuclear capability has added to Pakistan's security by impinging upon India's liberty of action under the nuclear overhang. As the efficacy of all out conventional war within the nuclear environment became questionable, lndia started studying the possibility of a limited conflict with curtailed application of military instrument and objectives. Therefore, nuclearisation of the Sub-Continent has brought a paradigm shift in the security landscape and strategic balance in the region. 11. To overcome the edge of Pakistani mobilization differential, exploit the initial Pakistani defence vulnerabilities and prevent international intervention, .adoption of Hit and Mobilize Concept was adopted instead of Mobilization and Hit. 12. The lndian military planners felt that the long mobilization period provided space for intervention to the major international players inhibiting lndia from realizing her politico - military aim through application of military instrument. 13. Edifice of the doctrine highlights a shift in lndian Armed Forces in general and Army in particular from a defensive reactive strategic thinking to a more pro active approach by seizing early initiative in any confrontation. 14. Security Implications a. lndian Cold Start Strategy is a threat to strategic stability of South Asia. lndian growing military prowess I capabilities and aggressive designs are implied with war provoking intent by practical manifestation of Cold Start Doctrine. Hit and Mobilize concept would further squeeze space for diplomacy I political maneuvers for avoiding conflict. c. This strategy is likely to increase the threat in an unpredictable manner at various rungs of the escalation ladder. d. It is inherently flawed to further engage nuclear South Asia in an arms race rather than diverting the efforts and resources to alleviate the social needs of the poor segments in the societies. e. Strategic equilibrium presently prevalent in the Subcontinent would be impacted with negative repercussions.